Months ago (April 2018), Lim Guan Eng was criticised for alleged corruption where millions of ringgits were reportedly paid to stop MACC from investigating the undersea tunnel project. Well, after Barisan Nasional was ousted on 9 May, the developer of the undersea tunnel project finally revealed the truth.
In case you didn’t know, Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd was the developer in charge of the Penang undersea tunnel. Its senior executive director, Zarul Ahmad Zulkifli has claimed that he was allegedly threatened by someone who represented the previous ruling government who forced him to pay RM22 million to stop MACC’s investigation on the tunnel project.
He refused to reveal the names involved because these people were serious in “getting people into trouble”.
“They ‘put a gun’ to my head, if we did not pay, we would get into trouble. During the past administration, when people threatened you, you took it seriously, as you do not know if things would happen to you or not, if it is the truth or not, it was different then.
“I took it seriously, for me I just want to go on with my business, I have no intention or interest to be part of a political quarrel,” Zarul told Malaysiakini during an interview.
He added that he was seen as “collateral damage”. However, Zarul doesn’t consider his actions as bribery as he was pressured into doing it and did not willingly give the money.
When he couldn’t take it anymore, Zarul lodged a report with MACC and an investigation is currently ongoing. He was also remanded for 11 days earlier this year to facilitate in this matter.
Let’s hope the police can guarantee the safety of whistleblowers like Zarul and find out the party that threatened him in a bid to cleanse Malaysia from corruption.
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